Mehmet Beldek was kidnapped on June 17 reportedly by PKK

World Bulletin / News Desk

A village guard was killed in southeastern Turkey after he was reportedly kidnapped by the PKK, a security source said on Monday.

Mehmet Beldek, 23, was kidnapped on June 17 by a group of terrorists in Yeniaslanbasar village of Sirnak province, said the source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

His body was found at the bank of a stream, close to the village.

According to an initial autopsy report by the Sirnak State Hospital, Beldek had been strangled by a rope two days ago.

Security forces are on a lookout for the terrorists.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.